It may have been a fabulous name in 1882-1956 but it definitely isn't now. If you name your child this, they'll most likely be teased throughout their whole life. Please don't do this to your child.
― Anonymous User 12/7/2023
7
I love how there are a few people who think "Gaylord" is a serious name lol.
― Anonymous User 10/29/2023
-1
This is a name that's staying in the past. If a popular name like Oliver comes to mean "Butthole from Outer Space That Vomits Instead of Defecates" in the future, you bet that no kid in the future would ever want to be named Oliver even if it's a perfectly fine name now.
Frederick Gaylord Crane is a character from the shows "Cheers" and "Frasier". At one point he remarks that he'll never forgive his parents for giving him this name.
This name means joyful and happy because gay also means happy, not just homosexual. This name isn't bad unless you make it bad.
― Anonymous User 2/1/2023
-6
Gaylord Entertainment was the former name of Ryman Hospitality Properties. In September 1994, CBS and Gaylord reached an affiliation deal where Gaylord's stations in Dallas and Seattle (both on channel 11, known as KTVT and KSTW) would become CBS affiliates. Both stations affiliated with CBS in the spring and summer of 1995, but in June 1997, KSTW lost its CBS affiliation back to KIRO (channel 7) as a result of a trade deal involving the station. Gaylord sold KTVT to CBS in 1999, two years after its cable networks were sold.
Imagine the hell a person would go through if this name was on a male who was: married, straight, and hates gay people, if anyone has these traits then I am terribly sorry for you.
As someone who's gay and looking for a name, Gaylord is by far the coolest and most confident pick. A little old fashioned, but retro and remakes are also cool right now so why not be named Gaylord :)
This name is so sexy! Thanks to certain homophobic jackwads it is best used as a middle name, however, putting it in the second slot does not diminish my love for it whatsoever. ♥.
Believe it or not I have this name in my personal name list, because I like it. I actually knew a Gaylord, my cousin Ethel's husband. We only met about 4-5 times but I could sense that he was a sweet guy, very manly as well. He was born 1904 (long before Gay was made a synonym of homosexual). The last time I chatted with him he said that many kids were teasing him, but he didn't care, so long as he had Ethel. I associate Gaylord with a ruler that's always very joyous, and a guy that's very sweet, not "The Ruler of Homosexual People". I like Gaylord, but obviously you shouldn't name your little boy Gaylord because he'll be teased until his self-esteem is as small as the plank length. I like Gaylord overall. :)
This name will only become a problem. Not only will your son be made fun of and accused of being gay but also this name will be a good reason to tease him simply for having it. Also, if your son has negative feelings towards gays then a name like this will only make him feel very bad. If you love your son (and you should love him, it's your son after all) then don't name him that.
Hi, I named my daughter Gailyrd and she LOVES her name!. Her nicknames are Gay, Gayla, Lordiana, Lord of gay, and some more!. She is 7 years old and people always question me when they learn her name, but I don’t care what people think. She has problems with misspelling and some teasing sometimes but that’s okay! They usually have really boring names like Zoe and Octavia. My little girl is unique :). I definitely recommend it!
I would not name a boy or a girl Gaylord. It sounds even worse than Gay. It’s like a vulgar slang that you will more than likely get slapped for saying in front of your parents. I was shocked to see these names on this site, I literally wanted to laugh out loud. This name will definitely cause some serious teasing and harassment to the victims with these names. Please give your child a decent, non-teasable name. If you have some sense.
There is no need to be "shocked" at finding the names Gaylord and Gay on this site. This is not a baby name site. It is not geared towards expectant parents trying to find a name for their child, although it can be used as such if an expectant parent wishes to, of course. Rather this is a site for serious students of names and serious hobbyists. As such, it is obligatory that this site list as many real names with real usage that it can, even if that usage has been extinct for a period of time. The inclusion of any name on this site is not an endorsement for usage, and shouldn't be taken as such.
I’m neutral about this name. I have nothing against gay rights. I still think it’s a nice name especially a long time ago if this name wasn’t confirmed to be a double-slang! Otherwise it’s a chavvy name to give to a boy or girl, since they’ll get teased non-stop! I don’t know whether to hate this name or love it!
― Anonymous User 11/17/2018
1
This is what 12 year old white boys call their opponents on online games.
― Anonymous User 10/3/2018
22
I like this name. It is the name of the leading male character, Gaylord Ravenal, in Edna Ferber's famous novel Show Boat. It was also a famous Broadway musical play and a movie. I think people should rise above contemporary connotations given to names and appreciate them for where they came from. Although it should not cause sneers, teasing and bullying in this day and age the fact that so many people commented here that they think it will goes to show we really haven't progressed very far in our acceptance and tolerance of others. Sad.
― Anonymous User 9/12/2018
5
I have always liked this name but it takes a special man to pull it off.
― Anonymous User 9/12/2018
16
Wow, I really thought this was only a surname. A boy's high school year book quote was "Yes, my last name really is Gaylord."
The name Gaylord dates back to a time long before the word "gay" was used to mean "homosexual". Matter of fact, the word, “Gaylord" was a very great name BEFORE people dubbed "gay" as being homosexual, which only became common in the second half of the 20th century. Over time, this English surname which was derived from Old French “Gaillard”- meaning, (high-spirited, boisterous) now is associated with homosexuality. No, if you were given the name, keep it, don’t let this modern slang bother you, as your name came way before this and is a great name!
In Barbara Park's novel The Kid in the Red Jacket, the protagonist, Howard Jeeter, has a baby brother named Gaylord. (I had to read this for school when I was in sixth grade, and no one in my language arts class laughed at his name, for what it's worth.)
Gaylord was the name of a toy "walking" dog introduced by the Ideal Toy Company in 1962."GayyyyyLORD! When you pull his leash, he'll walkity-walkity-walk with you! BARK! BARK!" (That song always plays in my mind when I hear this name. Not a kid of the sixties, just like to watch old toy commercials on YouTube.)
I'm sure this name was fine to use a while ago, but you can't use this name nowadays. If you name your kid Gaylord, you might as well pay every kid in his school to bully him.
For all you guys saying it's a dreadful name, it was a very nice name BEFORE people dubbed "gay" as being homosexual. I don't say "gay", since it also means HAPPY. So naming a kid "Gaylord" before it became slang for homosexual, it would be an honor to have since it would mean "HAPPY-lord" or "Lord of Happiness".
― Anonymous User 10/3/2017
7
I can imagine some kid shouting "Hey look, it's GAYLORD!" and laughing every time Gaylord walks through the door to class.
― Anonymous User 9/24/2017
11
First off I would like to state I have absolutely nothing against against the LGBTQ+ Community. Now I will state how bad of a choice this name would be: Gay, (although it shouldn't be) is an insult nowadays. It also refers to a person liking someone of the same sex. Second of all, who would name a child a name with the word "lord" in it? I mean can you imagine a "Boblord" or "Samlord"? Like what?! Thirdly, this name's sounds are way too harsh. Fourthly, if someone doesn't associate this name with homosexuality then they are likely to associate this person with the "Lord of Happiness" I mean COME ON.So even even if the word gay hadn't evolved he way it has, it still isn't even a great name.
― Anonymous User 9/20/2017
5
All of the comments saying, "OMG don't name your kid this because 'gay' means 'homosexual'" are really not necessary. This isn't a baby-naming site. It's not a site only for prospective parents who are trying to choose a name. It's a name site for anyone with an intellectual interest in first names, their origins, etymologies, historical usage, etc. As such, it's going to list all first names, whether they are usable in today's American society or not. Listing the name is not an endorsement of its use. No need to go on about how Gaylord is cruel and will invite teasing.
Gaylord was used in France from the start of the 80s, when it spiked in popularity, until about the mid-90s. Now the name's pretty much extinct here for pretty obvious reasons. You can still find guys in their late 20s/early 30s with the name here.
I believe that Gaylord is a pretty old name. I haven't researched what it means though. "The Lord of Happiness", good chappy? If I remember correctly, there is also a town in America called Gaylord. It would be most unfortunate to be called Gaylord from Gaylord. There's also an American football team in Gaylord, and apparently things don't go down so well when they play against neighbouring towns at home.It's even more unfortunate than a guy at my old university who was called Max Dicks... There was also a man at my dad's workplace called Phil Mycock. What in the world were some parents thinking? *facepalm*
LOL, this is a pretty hilarious name now, isn't it? I mean, even before "gay" took on the additional meaning of "homosexual," it does look a bit silly. If pronounced "Gale-ord," though, you don't notice as much.
This would have been okay in the past, but right now DO NOT USE IT! Other spelling: Gaillord is much better or Gillord, Gallord. But they look fancier as surnames.
Oh dear god; I don't even know where to begin with this! Absolutely no one in their right mind would ever name their child this. The child would have to change their name. That's a guarantee. Even as a surname it's bad enough. Naming a child this as his first or middle is just shoving gay rights and gay propaganda down the poor kids throat and setting him up for a life of hell. I get that there are gay people but giving it as a name is going way too far. Even full adults would cringe and make fun of this name. Awful doesn't even begin to cover this nameThis name should be banned! Sorry, but gay doesn't really mean happy anymore... That ship sailed and sunk.
― Anonymous User 9/7/2014
-17
This name is horrendous. It's pretty cruel to name a kid this when it offers: teasing, bullying, homophobic insults and giggles & smirks whenever people hear it!
― Anonymous User 8/6/2014
4
Please don't ever name your child Gaylord! My parents named me, Gaylord Maximilian Schatz. My childhood was a nightmare. Then when I started going by Max, to alleviate my shame, I became Maxi-Pad. Then I learn that Schatz, means lover in German. My name is Gaylord Maxi-Pad Lover. Oh Dear God, please! Don't name your child Gaylord! Don't let the curse continue!
I actually like this name even though the slang ruined it. I still like it.
― Anonymous User 12/15/2013
0
It's funny, but I've seen that name used often for street names. I suppose back in the Medieval times it was an accepted name, especially since the word 'gay' meant merry or happy before the modern connotation came into effect.
― Anonymous User 12/1/2013
6
Don't name your kid this unless you want them to be the victim of homophobic teasing.
Maybe once the gay rights movement has sufficiently eradicated the negative connotations around the word "gay," this name will make a much needed comeback, because in my opinion it isn't completely horrible phonetically. I would certaintly like to change my name to Gaylord if I were running from the law one day and needed an alias.
The name Gaylord sounds terrible to me, because Gay has a harsh G to me, and I would never use Lord in a name.
― Anonymous User 10/1/2012
5
Wtf? Um.. not a good name at all.
― Anonymous User 7/6/2012
3
I actually think it's a wonderful /sounding/ name. I have mixed feelings about it as a name outside of the obvious connotation of "gay" these days. (Even "lord" I'm not too keen on, even though it's not meant to mean "lord")Regardless, it's a shame how modern slang has mangled it. I don't know if it'd ever be usable again, at least for a long time.
The impression you get from this name has been altered by the association of the word "gay" with homosexuality, but even disregarding that it just sounds... odd. It's not the vowel sounds, because the similar-sounding name Taylor sounds just fine. I think the "lord" part makes it seem haughty or pompous. If you're looking for a French-influenced name with a similar meaning, I think Grant is a good alternative.
I have a strong like of this name all of a sudden, for no reason whatsoever. Of course, in these days, I'd never use it. It reminds me of a kid raised in a hippie family with a sweet and shy nature. Maybe as a middle name for Rainbow! =D (I'm kidding, really.)
I support gay rights. There is nothing wrong with homosexuality. But people today are such bigots; this is the insult that frat boys/girls use because they feel like expressing their immaturity. Besides the association, this is like naming your son "Happylord". What if he's sad? This would still be pompous.
Oh, haha. Seriously, any child with this name will not survive elementary school. Endless teasing and homosexual associations. I mean, fifth-graders can't read this on a worksheet without giggling. Imagine a real child named Gaylord!
― Anonymous User 5/24/2009
3
Lord of happiness? Heh, I actually like that.Yes, there is nothing wrong with homosexuality, but naming your child this won't work out. There are better names out there that have "happy" meanings in them! =D
I do agree, being gay is not the problem, it's what if you're not gay and you get the constant harassment. Heck, even if you were gay and named Gaylord, I'm sure the harassment would be annoying. Yeah, this is one of those names you really can use anymore.
NOTHING WRONG WITH HOMOSEXUALITY!, but you must be insane to name your child this. Today it has become an offensive thing to call someone, and will instantly be associated with homosexuality. "Hey, Gaylord, are you gay?"
I think it is a shame that this name cannot be used normally anymore. Anybody who reads classic books will encounter the word "gay" quite frequently and think nothing of it. But people with less experience in literature would snigger and show it to their friends and snigger some more.
― Anonymous User 8/10/2008
14
Whenever I think of this name, I think of the lord of gay people. Gay is bad enough. Gaylord is worse. If you are going to name your child this, you might as well move out of the States where they don't associate gay as homosexual.
― Anonymous User 8/8/2008
3
I hate this name. Someone named Gaylord is bound to get teased.
This name is an insult nowadays, like 'gay' is, because people are immature and afraid of and averse to ''the other''. However, the name would sound pompous and ridiculous even if it wasn't. Let's face it: anyone would laugh at this name.
Gaylord Ravenal is one of the main characters in the musical "Show Boat" (based on the novel of the same name; filmed multiple times, most notably in 1951 with Howard Keel in the role of Ravenal). It dates back to a time long before the word "gay" was used to mean "homosexual" - something which only became common in the second half of the 20th century.
If gay had not become a slang term I think this would be a great name. My father's boss is named Gaylord but he goes by Gayn (his middle initial is N).
I would gladly name my child this if it weren't for the fact that he would be mocked constantly throughout his life. Hey, though, if you're a mother and are planning to pull a "40-Year-Old Virgin" type stunt, go ahead. Name your son "Gaylord."
Gaylord is a dreadful name, especially with the surname Focker.
― Anonymous User 9/4/2006
0
Gaylord Nelson, a Democrat politician from Wisconsin, founded Earth Day, which was first celebrated in 1970. He was an active voice for the environment throughout his life and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995. Nelson died in 2005 at age 89.
Gaylord Focker is Ben Stiller's character in the films Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers. He goes by Greg, but his name is revealed at the end of the first film.
― Anonymous User 1/7/2006
5
I would definitely NOT use this name now with its connection to "gay". (You know what I mean.)